Multiple Search Warrants Lead to Over 3,000 Marijuana Plants Seized

(VVNG.com)- Multiple search warrants served over a two-day period lead to 13 arrest and over 3,000 Marijuana plants seized.

According to authorities, on Monday, March 9, 2015 and Tuesday, March 10, 2015 members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Enforcement Team and deputies from the High Desert region conducted investigations resulting in the service of 5 search warrants at residential properties in the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, to include the communities of Landers and Lucerne Valley.

The locations were found to have large-scale outdoor marijuana cultivations in unsecured fenced in areas.

The investigations revealed all of the marijuana cultivation operations were illegal and not in compliance with California medical marijuana laws and/or the County of San Bernardino ordinance regulating marijuana cultivation.

The investigations resulted in total seizures of over 3,000 marijuana plants, over 100 pounds of processed marijuana, 2 firearms (1 semi-automatic handgun and 1 bolt action rifle) and charges brought against 13 suspects. The large amount of marijuana seized at the individual locations suggests the suspects had no intention of abiding by California’s medical marijuana laws and were strictly for-profit operations. Many of the suspects were utilizing fictitious medical marijuana recommendations in an effort to deceive law enforcement personnel into thinking the operations were legitimate.

The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivations. San Bernardino County Code Enforcement personnel assisted with the cultivation investigations for administrative enforcement of County Code violations. The Sheriff’s Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California marijuana laws as well as the San Bernardino County Ordinances regarding marijuana cultivation and distribution. Persons found to be violating state marijuana laws and county ordinances or utilizing medical marijuana recommendations under false pretenses are subject to fines, prosecution and seizure of property.

Anyone with information regarding the above investigations or other illegal cultivation locations is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division at (909)890-4840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.